Application Instructions - Halton District School Board
Seats in the Halton District School Board International Student Program are limited.
Before you begin
Halton District School Board will only accept complete applications using our secure online application system. Mailed or emailed applications are no longer accepted. Incomplete or unpaid applications will not be processed.
Before you begin the online application process, please make sure you have collected all the necessary information and documents. You will need the applicant’s complete information and at least one parent’s complete information. This includes names, addresses, etc. Required and recommended documents (see below) must be submitted as PDF or JPEG files only and less than 5MB each. If any document is larger than 5MB, it has been scanned at too high a resolution and must be rescanned at a lower resolution before beginning the application process.
The application fee is $400 CAD and is nonrefundable. Please have a major credit card ready for the final page of the online application system. Applications submitted without an application fee will not be processed.
Please note: For the 2024-2025 school year, students accepted into the ISP will live with a host family provided by an HDSB approved host family provider unless one of their parents will be living with the student full-time during the term of study. Elementary students are required to reside with one of their parents (full-time).
Required documents
In order to submit an application, the eight documents listed below are required. If you do not upload these documents into the online application system, you cannot complete the application process. If you do not submit a complete application within two (2) days, the partial application will be automatically deleted.
1. The parent(s) must sign the following three agreements. Before starting the application process, please download the General Release/Waiver, Participation Agreement, and ISP Procedures, sign in ink, and scan as a PDF or JPEG file only.
2. Transcripts or report cards. You must have a record of grades for the last two years, translated into English, they must be in PDF or JPEG files only, and less than 5MB in size. School stamps must be visible on translated copies. You will only be able to upload one document, so please ensure all pages of the records of grades are scanned as a single document.
3. Passport photo page. Please scan the passport photo page of the applicant’s passport, if they have a passport already. This allows us to double-check the applicant’s information to ensure that all correspondence is correct.
4. Student’s letter of intent:
- Secondary students: This letter is written by the student explaining their desire to come to Canada and study at the Halton District School Board. It should outline their past studies, their interests and hobbies, and their future goals. If this letter is longer than one page, make sure you scan all pages as a single document.
- Elementary students: The letter is to be written by the Principal of the student's current school.
5. Immunization records. Please scan as a single document all immunization records relevant to the student's medical history. If this letter is longer than one page, make sure you scan all pages as a single document. Translated copies will be required for the in-person registration.
6. A recent photo of the student.
Recommended documents
We recommend that you collect the following documents prior to applying. These documents assist us in making an admission decision should we require additional information. They must be submitted as single documents in PDF or JPEG files only and less than 5MB each.
- Letter of Recommendation. Please have a teacher, school counselor, or Headmaster/Principal write a letter of recommendation for the applicant. This letter should be on school letterhead and identify the student and their strong points. If this letter is longer than one page, make sure you scan all pages as a single document.
- Other documents. If you have another document pertinent to admission, such as a student interview form or a previous assessment please submit it as a single document.